ABCs of Art - C is for Colour

A B Cs of ART

This week I am continuing to look at the Cs of art and the focus is colour.

We take colour for granted, yet is one of the primary tools of an artist. I found numerous websites that looked at

-the theory of colour:
http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html

http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/study/g_color.html

http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/encyc_colorwheel.html

-symbolism in colour

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm

-lessons in colour

http://painting.about.com/od/colourtheory/ss/color_theory.htm

http://www.wetcanvas.com/ArtSchool/Color/ColorTheory/

The following site showed a number of masterpieces with the colours used by the artsists:
http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2007/06/20/color-inspiration-from-the-masters-of-painting/

One of my favourite sites for many art ideas is Nita Leland. She has a good section on colour and has also written an excellent book on colour.
She provides an extensive listing of books on colour and colour theory.




I wanted to create a painting where the focus was mainly on colour - the abstract expressionsists were my choice. I explored one site and loved the work of Franz Kline. His oil painting," Untitled" ( c. 1959, National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC.) drew me.






It was this piece I used for my model. I used acrylics and had such fun splashing on colour.





I will leave you with some "colour" quotes by several artists:
Colour and I are one. I am a painter." Paul Klee, 1914.
"Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I see before me, I make more arbitary use of colour to express myself more forcefully ... To express the love of two lovers by the marriage of two complementary colours ... To express the thought of a brow by the radiance of a light tone against a dark background. To express hope by some star. Someone's passion by the radiance of the setting sun." Vincent van Gogh, 1888.
"Colour helps to express light, not the physical phenomenon, but the only light that really exists, that in the artist's brain." Henri Matisse, 1945.
Just a reminder:
I have a giveaway for my 200th + post! Check it out here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadows are being tracked down all over the globe today - to bring you shadows in all forms and places.

We have had a real cold snap this week. In fact, at my school yesterday, both recesses were indoor as the wind chill was -20 (Celsius!).

This morning was still cold but the sun was shining. I did not want to go far (!) so found more shadows around my porch. (A very handy place for days like today - a day to stay inside)

Be sure to check out the other great shadow chasers at Hey Harriet!

Thankful/Thoughtful Thursday and A Giveaway!

At the start of today, I really wondered what I would find to be thoughtful for and as the day unfolded, there were a few things but a also a major difficulty.

I have one student who is ODD - very oppositional. He did not have a good day and by the end of the day I had to give him a 5 minute detention for pushing another student. The whole issue escalated into a major problem, involving his mother. The short story - I ended up having to call CAS (Children's Aid) on the mom. I have only had to do this a few times in my teaching career but each time it is so difficult. But I know it is not for me to decide what the outcome will be, I have to do it based on my concerns for the safety of the child.

By the time I got home I was exhausted, worn out by the events of the day. My husband surprised me with a dinner out, with his son, daughter-in-law and their son. It was a good tonic.

It also made me realize that there are many things to be thankful for:

1. for my husband and family - to share things with and be supported by

2. for colleagues who offered support and understood my dillema today

3. for favourite restaurants - especially when you don't feel like cooking

4. for a safe trip home, even though it was blowing hard with some slick streets

5. for babies who can make you smile and laugh just by their laughter and smiles

6. for my cat, who jumps on my lap and offers purrs and comfort

7. for favourite blogs which offer ideas, thoughts and support

8. for children who get so involved in creating and enjoying learning

I have been trying to visit as many blogs as possible this week - "One World One Heart" started Monday and already there are over 700 blogs participating, with so many wonderful giveaways.

Lots to visit before Feb. 15th! Be sure to check it out!

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My 200th post (+3)

A week or so ago I knew my 200th post was coming up but I let it go by before I realized today that this is my 203rd!!!!

SOOOO - in honour of achieving 200 posts in less than a year, I am going to hold my own giveaway.

If you would like to win one of three ATC cards created by myself, then please leave a comment on this blog post, with your email address and answer this question:

What are you thankful for?

3 winners will be drawn at random on Sat. Feb. 13 and will be notified by email.
Best of luck!

Thank you everyone who has visited here and been so supportive to my explorations. Thank you too, to the people who have given so much - through their thoughts and words and honesty!

Simple Things

Little things can make a big difference.

Today Christina of Soul Aperture is hosting the Simple Things blog party.

As she says: "it seems that January, can be a tough month for some of us. the blahs, the rain, the snow, trying to make sense of the world.

Ii think it's time we show January, who's boss! : )

let's show what we appreciate, and what we are grateful for

- no matter how big or small, these things may seem."

What a great idea!

We can all participate by writing a list of the simple things in life that make our hearts and souls sing.
But to add to this blog party, for every blogger that posts a Simple Things list on January 27th and links back to the Soul Aperture blog post here, Christina will donate $1.00 to the charity Doctors Without Borders for the Haiti Relief efforts.
What a wonderful way to make a difference!

Here is my list, in no particular order, of things that uplift me, give me joy, peace and put a smile on my face! A list to keep handy to remember that happiness can be achieved by the simple things in life!

My Simple Things List

the simple things that make my soul sing
*
dancing with my husband
dancing to loud music by myself
playing games with children
playing progressive euchre with our group of friends
visiting old friends
celebrating holidays – following traditions
*
a roof over our heads
a warm comfy bed with a big warm comforter
watching the fire burn in a fireplace
*
the sound of a violin and flute
country music
classical music
singing with a song
*
love
*
our cat purring on my lap
petting our cat or a puppy
watching horses gallop
watching swans and geese on the river
*
handwritten letters
emails and jokes from friends
a phone call from a friend
sharing laughter
*
old comfy pajamas
hugs and kisses
the warmth of a baby
*
bouquets of flowers
blue skies
snow covered mountains
pounding surf
trees of all kinds
*
reading a good book
watching a movie
making movies of family and friends
looking at old photos together
remembering the past
watching fireworks
*
Looking at art
Creating art
Creating and playing
crocheting

*
Watching a child learn something new
Giving hope to someone
Being with an elderly person
*
Homemade soup
Homemade bread
Chocolate desserts
Warm apple crisp
Red wine
A nice cup of tea and toast
*
Faith
Hope
Caring for others
Being there for others

LOVE

Join in the fun - create your own list and be sure to check back to Christina and visit the other participants here.

Have a wonderful day!

Wishcast Wednesday

Today is Wishcast Wednesday and once again Jamie Ridler (Of Jamie Ridler Studios) asks once again a deep question:

What do you wish to awaken?

I have been trying to awaken my creativity this past year and I am much creative than I have ever been. I am involved in ATC swaps, challenges , dreamboards and courses online. I have been involved in 3 of The Next Chapter Book Clubs.

But, even though I would like to be called an artist, I don't feel I am one. So, I would like to fully awaken the artist hidden inside me, to awaken the creative spirit and positive energy necesssary to be one. I want to continue to grow artistically and seek mentors to help in that growth.

As Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Support wishes by visiting other participants. There is great power in wishing together."

Support other wish-makers here.

ABC Wednesday - B is for Balloon and Book

This week at ABC Wednesday the letter to focus on is B.

I chose - B is for Balloon.

My husband , stepchildren and their families suprised me with a birthday party at Swiss Chalet 2 weeks ago. This balloon was at my spot. What a lovely treat.

B is also for Book

This book was also a birthday gift and I really enjoyed it. I have read all of Mitch Albom's books now.

So, B is also for Birthday!

Be sure to visit the other great participants here. We are now into Round 6!

ABCs of Art - Collage and ATCs

A B Cs of ART

This week starts a long look at the Cs of art. First up is COLLAGE - my absolute favourite.

There is no wrong or right, there are so many materials that can be used and so many effects that can be created.

I have a number of books that I have used and still refer to:

"Collage Discovery Workshop" by Claudine Hellmuth ( a new acquisition)

"Creative Collage Techniques" by Nita Leland and Virginia Lee Williams (an old fav.)

"Handmade Paper Collage" by Dawn Ackerman

Creating the full moon dreamboards each month with Jamie Ridler uses collage. It can be as simple as finding magazine images and gluing them on a background in a meaningful array to the artist. Many collage artists use mixed media in their works which can be very detailed.

I use collage a lot with children and they usually enjoy the process. Some useful exercises I have done with them include:

1. doing a colour collage - to find the different shades and tints of a chosen colour.

2. at the beginning of the year doing a me collage of things they like and enjoy

3. using bold colours to create a Matisse-inspired collage (their favourite)

Many artists use collage in their work: Wikipedia provides a list and gallery. Some of my favourites are:

Picasso, Matisse, Max Ernst, Robert Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden (as well as the above 3 artists).

Creating art journals has been a new experience for me this past year and I use a lot of collage. There is still so much to explore in creating these journals. There are many places online that offer courses and workshops in visual journalling. Several of my favourite places to go are:

Collage Diva/True North Arts with Kathryn Antyr

Creative Every Day with Leah Piken Kolidas

Jamie Ridler Studios (home of the full moon dreamboards)

Violette (from whom I won her awesome book "Journal Bliss")

The Art Studio (which I just discovered today!)

I know there are many other places - maybe you could let me know!

Right now I am working on collages for the "Deck of Me" challenge and vision cards (as described by Jamie Ridler). Both have been enjoyable but I still have more work to do!

Week 1 - Goals and Word of intention Card

Week 2 - Favourite Quote (2 of them! - I have decided to create vision cards with favourite cards as well)

I am also using collage elements in some of the ATCs I created this week.

Anatomical Heart swap:

Hearts with Wings swap:

I know I will continue to collage. I love the mess of it at times but there is something about seeing your vision take shape.

Next week - more of C - as I focus on Colour and Composition.